High Roller Records

Opprobrium – The Fallen Entities Review

Opprobrium – The Fallen Entities Review

“Opprobrium actually started life as Incubus. No, not the band whose name you were cursing the 10,000th time you heard “Drive” on the radio back in 2002—this Incubus was an early American death-thrash group who drew comparisons to Sepultura with their two classic albums, 1988’s Serpent Temptation and 1990’s Beyond the Unknown. Brothers and founding members Moyses and Francis Howard even share Sepultura’s Brazilian heritage and were inspired to write a third album after a trip to their homeland in 1999.” Beast from the past.

Black Oath – Behold the Abyss Review

Black Oath – Behold the Abyss Review

“From their formation in 2006, it’s been clear that the oath the chaps in Black Oath have taken is to keep traditional doom/occult metal in the style of Candlemass and Black Sabbath alive and kicking. Their first full length, The Third Aeon was an unsurprising but competent slab of 60-BPM epic doom dirges. On subsequent releases Ov Qliphoth and Darkness and To Below and Beyond, the band evolved their style somewhat to incorporate Gothic rock and mild progressive elements into a more distinctive brew which frontman, bassist and vocalist A. Th (not a typo) has christened “Cursed Rock Musick” (also not a typo).” Diabolus in Musick.

Outlaw – Marauders Review

Outlaw – Marauders Review

Outlaw was formed in 2015 as the classic metal outlet for vocalist Lee Anvel. His numerous projects and associated aliases span thirteen years and range from black metal to doom. Along with co-founder and bassist John Kaiser, Anvel has assembled a band of newcomers for his foray into the most traditional of metals. They’ve donned their studded leather, bullet belts, and pseudonyms and seem intent on delivering the goods.” Bad hombres.

Professor Black – Sunrise Review

Professor Black – Sunrise Review

Chris Black (A.K.A. Professor Black) is an entire music scene unto himself. He’s played with Pharaoh, Superchrist and Nachtmystium as well as being the founder of Dawnbringer, High Spirits and Aktor. Now he’s releasing not one, not two, but three new albums under the Professor Black brand, all on the same day, all with vastly different styles and intents. Because I’m powerful and full of Viking ape rage, I took Sunrise, which is a lovingly trve ode to Bathory’s Viking era, as well as classic metal artists like Running Wild and W.A.S.P.” Black for the Viking attack.

Professor Black – LVPVS Review

Professor Black – LVPVS Review

“Chicago legend Chris Black has liberated himself of labor and label and instead plunged headlong into an endeavor to facilitate all and any of his creative yearnings. Professor Black is the name and, apparently, whatever the fuck he wants is the game. As he is releasing, not one, but three albums simultaneously, it falls to me to quantify LVPVS, an instrumental project of progressive proportions.” Taking back the Black.

Black Viper – Hellions of Fire Review

Black Viper – Hellions of Fire Review

“You may think you know what you want, but you don’t know shit; Black Viper sees right through your facade, all the way from Norway. They are spying you perusing through AMG’s recent round of reviews, and scoffing as you check out bands with extraneous tags such as “post” or “progressive.” Why on Earth would you ever want to engage with such pretentious, slow burning affairs when Hellions of Fire offers instant gratification – i.e. the prompt melting of faces – that occurs immediately and doesn’t let up until the album ends or your sound system catches fire (whichever comes first).” Kill it with speed.

Armory – The Search Review

Armory – The Search Review

“Before the thrash explosion of the 80s truly took off under the guidance of rising stars like Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax, there was its ugly predecessor, speed metal. Basically, traditional metal played faster, speed metal often approximated the sound of a record spinning at the wrong speed. It was a loose, unrefined and fun style often lacking the hard-edge of thrash. I was sad to see it all but die out by 1987, and Sweden’s Armory apparently feel the same way, so they painstakingly recreated the speed metal sound on their sophomore outing, The Search.” Speed still kills.